As we do each year, we asked our readers to cast votes for what Des Moines has to offer in a variety of business-related categories. These people and organizations make up an ecosystem in our region that supports the local economy and the community at large.
Here’s how it worked: You voted. We checked the data, removed any suspicious or erroneous votes and then tallied the results for all 75 categories. All Greater Des Moines businesses, people and organizations are eligible to win categories. In other words, there was no cost to be listed as an option due to the survey being open-ended. You can’t pay to win a category.
These leaders from varying industries shared with us their new areas of focus, what they think would improve the community and trends in their industries that others should know about. The following is a selection of perspectives from the winners who responded to the questions we posed to them. Answers have been lightly edited for clarity. We hope you enjoy reading them.
And to our audience, thank you for your continued participation in Best of Des Moines voting.
— Emily Barske Wood, special projects editor
Best CEO
winner Don Coffin, Bankers Trust Co.
runner-up Deanna Strable, Principal Financial Group
runner-up Cory Harris, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Best Metro Business Leader
winner Don Coffin, Bankers Trust Co.
runner-up Dan Houston, Principal Financial Group
runner-up Deanna Strable, Principal Financial Group
Best Business Supporting Local Charity
winner NCMIC
runner-up Principal Financial Group
runner-up Bankers Trust Co.
Best Up-and-Coming Business Leader
winner Sarah DeKock, Flynn Wright
runner-up Trina Flack, Catch Des Moines
runner-up Joel Anderson, RSM USA
Best City Government Conducive to Doing Business
winner West Des Moines
runner-up Des Moines
runner-up Waukee
Best Nonprofit
winner EveryStep
runner-up Animal Rescue League of Iowa
runner-up Iowa Biotechnology Association
Best Commercial Real Estate Company
winner R&R Realty Group
runner-up Hubbell Realty
runner-up NAI Iowa Realty Commercial
Best Residential Real Estate Company
winner Iowa Realty
runner-up Re/Max
runner-up Hubbell Realty
Best Real Estate Property Management Company
winner Hubbell Realty/Indigo Living
runner-up R&R Realty Group
runner-up Artisan Management Group
Best Architectural Firm
winner Shive-Hattery
runner-up RDG Planning & Design
runner-up SVPA
Best Engineering Firm
winner Shive-Hattery
runner-up Olsson
runner-up McClure Engineering
Best General Contractor
winner The Weitz Co.
runner-up Neumann Brothers
runner-up Hy-Vee Construction
Best Development Company
winner Hubbell Realty
runner-up Kimberley Development
runner-up R&R Realty Group
Best Electrical Contractor
winner Tri-City Electric
runner-up Waldinger
runner-up Baker Electric
Best Homebuilder
winner Kimberley Development
runner-up Hubbell Homes
runner-up Caliber Homes
Best Mechanical Contractor
winner Waldinger
runner-up Baker Group
runner-up Cerris System
Best Commercial Lender
winner Bankers Trust
runner-up Midwest Heritage Bank
runner-up West Bank
Best Executive Search Firm
winner Palmer Group
runner-up Prositions
runner-up Carlson Group
Best Temporary Employment Service
winner Palmer Group
runner-up Aerotek
runner-up Robert Half
Best Training and Development Company
winner Tero International
runner-up ATW Training Solutions
runner-up Prositions
Best Health Insurance Company
winner Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
runner-up Midwest Heritage Insurance Services
runner-up UnitedHealthcare
Best Life Insurance Company
winner Principal Life Insurance Co.
runner-up EMC Insurance Cos.
runner-up Midwest Heritage Insurance Services
Best Property/Casualty Insurance Company
winner NCMIC
runner-up EMC Insurance Cos.
runner-up Midwest Heritage
Best Place to Buy Office Furniture
winner Pigott
runner-up Workspace Inc.
runner-up Triplett Office Solutions
Best Security Company
winner Tri-City Electric
runner-up Per Mar Security Services
runner-up A+ Communications, Security & Home Solutions
Best Manufacturing Company
winner Kreg Tool
runner-up Vermeer Corp.
runner-up John Deere Des Moines Works
Best Bank
winner Bankers Trust Co.
runner-up West Bank
runner-up Midwest Heritage Bank
Best Credit Union
winner Veridian Credit Union
runner-up GreenState Credit Union
runner-up Community Choice Credit Union
Best Commercial Printer
winner Beeline and Blue
runner-up Christian Edwards
runner-up The Printer Inc.
Best Technology Consulting Company
winner RSM US LLP
runner-up Tri-City Electric
runner-up Webspec
Best Local Internet Service Provider
winner Mediacom
runner-up Metronet
runner-up Google Fiber
Best Web Developer
winner Webspec Design
runner-up Trio Agency
runner-up LS2group
Best Company to Work For
winner NCMIC
runner-up Bankers Trust Co.
runner-up Tri-City Electric
Best Company for Promoting Diversity in the Workplace
winner Bankers Trust Co.
runner-up Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
runner-up Principal Financial Group
Best Wealth Management Company
winner Foster Group
runner-up BTC Wealth Management (Bankers Trust Co.)
runner-up Midwest Heritage Bank
Best Auto Dealership
winner Willis Automotive
runner-up Bob Brown Chevrolet
runner-up Karl Chevrolet
Best Accounting Firm
winner RSM US LLP
runner-up McGowen Hurst Clark Smithrunner-up Denman
runner-up KPMG
Best Law Firm
winner Dentons Davis Brown
runner-up BrownWinick
runner-up Brick Gentry
Best Advertising Agency
winner Webspec Design Co.
runner-up Flynn Wright
runner-up LS2group
Best Public Relations Firm
winner LS2group
runner-up Flynn Wright
runner-up Wixted & Co.
Best Social Media Company
winner Trio Agency
runner-up Webspec Design
runner-up LS2group
Best Video Production Company
winner Locust Motion
runner-up Trilix
runner-up Studio Iowa
Best MBA Program
winner Iowa State University Ivy College of Business
runner-up University of Iowa Tippie College of Business
runner-up Drake University – Zimpleman College of Business
Best Place to Hold a Business Conference
winner Iowa Events Center
runner-up Hilton Des Moines Downtown
runner-up Prairie Meadows
Best Bar to Entertain Clients
winner Hello, Marjorie
runner-up Big Grove
runner-up The Republic on Grand
Best Caterer
winner Cyd’s Catering
runner-up Hy-Vee
runner-up Tangerine
Best Restaurant for Conducting Business
winner Centro
runner-up 801 Chophouse
Runner-up fresco
Best Coffee Shop for Conducting Business
winner Smokey Row
runner-up Scenic Route Bakery
runner-up Northern Vessel
Best Place to Buy Wine and Spirits
Winner he-wipe
runner-up Ingersoll Wine & Spirts
runner-up Wall to Wall Wine & Spirits (Hy-Vee)
Best Sporting Event to Entertain Clients
winner Iowa Cubs
runner-up Iowa Wild
runner-up Iowa State Cyclones football
Best New Restaurant
winner Prime and Providence
runner-up Lachele’s Fine Foods + The Fitz
runner-up Hugo’s
Best Happy Hour
winner Eatery A
runner-up Django
runner-up Coa Cantina
Best Place for Auto Repairs
winner Willis Automotive
runner-up Beckley’s Automotive Services
runner-up Finish Line
Best Hospital/Health Care System
winner Iowa Methodist Medical Center (UnityPoint Health)
runner-up MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center
runner-up Broadlawns Medical Center
Best Florist
winner Boesen the Florist
runner-up Hy-Vee
runner-up Wildflower
Best Jewelry Store
winner Josephs
runner-up Christopher’s Fine Jewelry
runner-up Owen Jewelry Design
Best Golf Course
Winner Love Club
runner-up Waveland Golf Course
runner-up Des Moines Golf and Country Club
Best Exercise Facility
winner Life Time Inc.
runner-up YMCA of Greater Des Moines (various locations)
runner-up Power Life Yoga
Best Cultural Attraction
winner Pappajohn Sculpture Park
runner-up Des Moines Arts Festival
runner-up Des Moines Art Center
Best Thing That Will Happen to Central Iowa in the Upcoming Year
winner Des Moines International Airport expansion
runner-up Pro Iowa Soccer – Krause Group
Best Thing to Happen to Central Iowa in the Past Year
winner Topgolf
Best-Dressed Business Professional
winner Doug Roozeboom (RSM US LLP)
runner-up Dr. Ian Roberts (DMPS)
runner-up Tony Dickinson (NCMIC)
Best Urban Renewal Project
winner 6th Avenue Corridor
runner-up Gray’s Station
runner-up Arcadia Building
Best Service Staff
winner Oak Park
runner-up Simon’s
runner-up Lua Brewing
Best Hotel for Business Travelers
winner Des Moines Marriott Downtown
runner-up Hilton Des Moines Downtown
runner-up Hotel Fort Des Moines
Best Local Podcast or Podcast Network
winner Iowa Everywhere
runner-up Bankers Trust Community Difference Makers
runner-up Hubbell Realty – Dig It
runner-up The Accel Group – Accel Advantage
Best Live Music Venue
winner Vibrant Music Hall
runner-up Hoyt Sherman Place
runner-up Wooly’s
Best Entrepreneur
Winner Jeremiah (Webspec Design Co.)
runner-up Emily Steele (Hummingbirds)
runner-up Mike Draper (Raygun)
Best Leader with a Sense of Humor
winner Don Coffin (Bankers Trust Co.)
runner-up Greg Edwards (Catch Des Moines)
runner-up Kenzie Geiger (City of Des Moines)
Best Nonprofit Gala/Fundraiser
winner ChildServe Bubble Ball
runner-up Blank Park Zoo Safari Soiree
runner-up Animal Rescue League Raise Your Paws
Best New Development
winner Des Moines Airport Expansion
runner-up Gray’s Station
runner-up Kettlestone Development
Best HVAC Contractor
winner Waldinger
runner-up Baker Group
runner-up Bell Brothers
Best Local Union
winner IBEW Local 347
runner-up Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33
runner-up Carpenters Local 106
Best Office Design
winner ITA Group
runner-up West Bank
runner-up Flynn Wright
Best Internship Program
winner Principal Financial Group
runner-up Bankers Trust Co.
runner-up EMC Insurance Cos.